[Cdt-l] Black Range / official route

[Brett]

Keep in mind that much of the Black Range south of Reeds Peak burned last spring / summer in the Silver Fire. This would include the official CDT east of Mimbres toward Reeds as well as the CDTS route south of Emory Pass north/west toward Mimbres. I haven't heard any first-hand reports on trail conditions in this area.

It's possible to hike around both the Silver Fire and the Gila flooding by starting nobo on the official route into the Gila, roadwalking NM 15 from Sapillo to Gila Hot Springs, then picking up the GET eastbound to the Black Range at Diamond Peak, and going north from there on official CDT. But then that's awfully circuitous, given the other options (Wolf, Ley, etc) along the Gila corridor (incl the West Fork Gila idea mentioned previously) that minimize exposure to the flood-impacted Middle Fork.

The Glenwood, Wilderness, and Black Range ranger districts have each seen the effects of fires and/or floods in recent years. Embracing the brutality starts early for northbounders these days.

- Brett





________________________________


Message: 1
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:19:29 -0700
From: "Andy James" <longhiker.pct at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] CDTA Guide books- Remember them?
To: "'Doug Carlson'" <doug-sue at centurylink.net>,
    <cdt-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <52dd4cca.e7ed440a.366f.ffffc34b at mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have done both the official route (Black Range) and the Middle Fork, and
did parts of the Black Range again when hiking the GET.   I personally enjoy
the Black Range immensely.  It closely follows the crest of the divide much
of the way through spectacular, remote, wilderness.  It is a longer hike
than following the river, and doesn't get hiked as much, but it does get
hiked.  The Black Range takes you through America's very first wilderness
area, the Aldo Leopold (June 3, 1924)  Much of the trail was built as public
works projects back in the 30's.  It has some really neat and intricate rock
retaining walls and obviously was a huge project at the time.  That route is
certainly much drier than walking up a river, and you have to plan
accordingly, but it's no worse than some other parts of the CDT.  I have the
entire set of CDTA guidebooks and I speculate that they are close to correct
when it comes to the Black Range.  If you go that way, take your gps.  There
are some stretches that are similar to Crazy Cook where you walk from post
to post across desert like terrain and the posts are mostly laying down.  



With all the flood damage, it might actually be easier this year than doing
the Middle Fork.  Climbing over debris and downed trees can be really
tiring.  



AJ
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